{"id":2392062,"date":"2025-01-18T09:47:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-18T14:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/weeks-before-la-fires-exploded-dept-insider-filed-suit-accusing-chief-crowley-of-wildly-improper-behavior\/"},"modified":"2025-01-18T09:50:12","modified_gmt":"2025-01-18T14:50:12","slug":"weeks-before-la-fires-exploded-dept-insider-filed-suit-accusing-chief-crowley-of-wildly-improper-behavior","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/weeks-before-la-fires-exploded-dept-insider-filed-suit-accusing-chief-crowley-of-wildly-improper-behavior\/","title":{"rendered":"Weeks Before LA Fires Exploded, Dept Insider Filed Suit Accusing Chief Crowley of Wildly Improper Behavior"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fweeks-before-la-fires-exploded-dept-insider-filed-suit-accusing-chief-crowley-of-wildly-improper-behavior%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2392062&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>In the wake of devastating wildfires in\u2062 Los Angeles, senior fire officials, including Fire chief Kristin Crowley, are embroiled in legal controversy. Jenny Park, a former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/middletown-firefighters-shine-bright-in-160th-inspection-parade\/\" title=\"Middletown Firefighters dazzle in 160th Inspection Parade.\">fire administrator<\/a>, has filed a lawsuit claiming \u200bshe was unfairly retaliated\u200d against by Crowley after she pointed out an overpayment of $37,000 made to Crowley that was never repaid \u2063to the city. After raising \u2062concerns, Park alleges that she faced intimidation and harassment from Crowley and Deputy Chief Orin Saunders, \u200cwhich affected her mental and physical well-being. \u2063Park&#8217;s complaint includes fears of retaliatory actions for\u200c shedding light on \u200cconflicts of interest related \u2063to contracts pursued by Saunders. The\u2063 lawsuit comes at \u200ba time when the \u200bLos Angeles Fire Department is facing\u200c criticism for \u200cits handling of emergencies, particularly as it truly seems to prioritize diversity and inclusion initiatives over \u200beffective wildfire management.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Senior fire officials in Los Angeles were involved in a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">legal battle mere weeks<\/a> or even days before the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bidens-gaffe-filled-trip-to-hawaii-for-wildfires-fails-to-quiet-critics\/\" title=\"Biden&#039;s Hawaii trip fails to silence critics amid gaffes.\">deadly wildfires broke<\/a> out and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/michigan-gov-gretchen-whitmer-unveils-plans-to-shut-down-a-65-year-old-pipeline\/\" title=\"Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Unveils Plans To Shut Down A 65-Year-Old Pipeline\">caused significant damage<\/a> in the area.<\/p>\n<p>Jenny Park, who formerly worked as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/la-fire-cpt-breaks-tears-camera-warned-someone-will-die-just-1-month-ago-city-commission-meeting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fire<\/a> administrator for the Los Angeles Fire Department, asserted in a legal complaint that LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley unfairly retaliated against her, according to a Wednesday <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/news\/article-14279915\/LA-fire-chief-LAFD-Kristin-Crowley-accused-retaliation-jenny-park-axed.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report<\/a> from the U.K. Daily Mail.<\/p>\n<p>Park claimed that Crowley wrongly fired her in December 2023 after she pointed out that Crowley allegedly &ldquo;failed to repay the city for a significant overpayment she had received in error.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Martin Aarons, an attorney for Park, told the Daily Mail that Crowley was allegedly paid $37,000 beyond her actual salary.<\/p>\n<p>But when Park, a former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/seattle-suburb-backs-down-from-ban-on-abortion-clinic-protesters\/\" title=\"Seattle Suburb Backs Down From Ban on Abortion Clinic Protesters\">deputy city attorney<\/a>, reminded Crowley about the need to pay back that sum to the city, she was &ldquo;ghosted,&rdquo; per the lawyer.<\/p>\n<p> <script type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\tif ( getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"stnvideo\").remove() \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Chief Crowley got paid a significant amount of money that was an overpayment &mdash; thousands of dollars &mdash; and, to our knowledge, never repaid that money,&rdquo; Aarons told the outlet.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;She just refused to do so,&rdquo; he continued. &ldquo;Ms. Park would routinely remind her about it and she just ghosted her.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The legal complaint also asserted that Crowley and LAFD Deputy Chief Orin Saunders targeted Park with intimidation, retaliation, and harassment.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Chief Crowley&rsquo;s and Chief Saunders&rsquo; harassment and retaliation caused enormous stress and anxiety for Ms. Park, harming her physical health, mental well-being and financial security,&rdquo; the lawsuit continued, per the Daily Mail.<\/p>\n<p>The document also contended that Park was targeted by the two officials, who allegedly sought to &ldquo;intimidate her into silence&rdquo; and claimed she was responsible for issues with a payroll system.<\/p>\n<p>Park allegedly tried to raise concerns in September 2023 about a contract with a third party sought by Saunders that would have allegedly created a conflict of interest.<\/p>\n<p>She met with other Los Angeles officials to discuss her fear that she would be retaliated against for exposing the proposal and blocking the contract.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Ms. Park had been sharing her distress and frustration with colleagues regarding ongoing harassment and retaliation and informed several former and current high-ranking members of the department that she had filed a complaint direct with Chief Sanders,&rdquo; the lawsuit added.<\/p>\n<p>Crowley and other top Los Angeles fire officials have been in the national spotlight as the department has struggled to contain the blazes appearing in the metropolitan area.<\/p>\n<p>They have been especially criticized for appearing to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/internal-docs-show-2-la-fire-depts-top-3-goals-dei-disaster-recovery-ranked-dead-last\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">prioritize<\/a> diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts amid concerns about the capacity of the agency to handle an emergency.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/la-fire-departments-dei-obsession-comes-light-devastating-wildfire-rages\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Crowley<\/a> is prominently described on the LAFD website as the &ldquo;first female and LGBTQ Fire Chief in the LAFD.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Her biography on the webpage said that her &ldquo;priorities&rdquo; include &ldquo;creating, supporting, and promoting a culture that values diversity, inclusion, and equity while striving to meet and exceed the expectations of the communities.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); 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Jenny Park, a former fire administrator for the LAFD, claimed in her lawsuit that Chief Kristin Crowley retaliated against her unfairly. Park alleged that Crowley wrongfully terminated her in December 2023 after she pointed out an overpayment of $37,000 made to Crowley by mistake. According to Park&#8217;s attorney, Martin Aarons, when she reminded Crowley about repaying the city, she was ignored. The lawsuit also accused Crowley and Deputy Chief Orin Saunders of intimidating and harassing Park, which led to significant stress affecting her health and financial stability. Additionally, it stated that they attempted to silence her regarding concerns about a potentially conflicting contract proposed by Saunders. Despite these issues within the department, LAFD leadership has faced criticism for focusing on diversity initiatives while struggling with wildfire management efforts<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2392063,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Picture-96.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[48750,48229,4585],"class_list":["post-2392062","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-department-insider","tag-la-fires","tag-lawsuit"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Picture-96.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2392062","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2392062"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2392062\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2392066,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2392062\/revisions\/2392066"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2392063"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2392062"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2392062"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2392062"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}